World war II timeline - October 1939

1 October 1939	German Führer der U-Boote Karl Dönitz asks submarine commander Gunther Prien if he would make an attack on the British Royal Navy at Scapa Flow. Prien immediately replies that he will.   British planes drop leaflets over Berlin for the first time, telling of the private fortunes of the Nazi leaders.
3 October 1939	British leaflet drops over Germany again halt, due to complaints from Belgium, Holland, and Denmark about airspace violations.
5 October 1939	German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks Newton Beach east of Ascension Island. In Moscow, Latvia signs a Pact of Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union, granting Soviet bases at Libau and Windau.
6 October 1939	Australia agrees to dispatch one cruiser and five destroyers for British use in Singapore. Adolf Hitler announces a peace plan in the Reichstag.
7 October 1939	Adolf Hitler appoints SS Chief Heinrich Himmler to take charge of establishing a New Order in Eastern Europe. German submarine U-47 leaves German port, destined for the British Royal Navy at Scapa Flow. German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks Ashlea east of Ascension Island.
9 October 1939	Adolf Hitler issues a memorandum to senior commanders justifying a policy of full-scale attack on Britain and France, if possible, this autumn. Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 6 "For the Conduct of the War", ordering an offensive planned through Luxembourg, Belgium, and Holland, as soon as armored units are ready and favorable weather conditions allow. The purpose of the offensive is to defeat the French Army, gain territory in Holland, Belgium, and Northern France to serve as a base against England and protect the Ruhr area. Adolf Hitler fears a delay would lead to an invasion of Belgium and possibly Holland by Western forces. Adolf Hitler gives detailed instructions on the proposed war in the West to the commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
10 October 1939	A German victory parade is held in Warsaw, Poland. In Moscow, a Pact of Mutual Assistance is signed between the Soviet Union and Lithuania, allowing Soviet occupation of stations of military importance. German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks Huntsman while en route to the Cape.
11 October 1939	Australian Prime Minister Menzies announces the Empire Air Training Scheme, to train aircrew for operations in Europe.
14 October 1939	In Scapa Flow, off the northern coast of Scotland, German submarine U-47 torpedoes British battleship HMS Royal Oak. The ship sinks in about 20 minutes. About 800 men are killed. In Germany, Lieutenant General Kurt Student of the 7th Airborne Division, is given the mission of preparing a plan of attack for the Fort Eben Emael in Belgium. Soviets ask Finland to grant them military bases in return for territorial concessions. Albert Einstein signs a letter written to US President Franklin Roosevelt urging research into the military use of atomic energy. Roosevelt supports the idea. Sweden, Denmark, and Norway issue a joint declaration that a Russian attack on Finland would be considered an attack on the whole north.
16 October 1939	Five warships from England arrive in Halifax, Canada, carrying about 10 million Pounds Sterling in gold from Britain and other Allied nations, for safekeeping during the war. German troops cross the extreme western end of the German frontier to France, losing twenty tanks in the battle. British leaflet drops over Germany resume.
18 October 1939	Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 7 "for the Conduct of the War". The Navy may attack passenger ships in convoys or without running lights. If Anglo-French forces invade Belgium, the German army may enter Luxembourg. Attacks endangering the civilian population are forbidden in Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg.
19 October 1939	In Angora, Turkey signs a Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Great Britain and France. If Turkey enters the war, France and Great Britain commit to providing assistance.
22 October 1939	German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks Trevanion while en route to the Cape.
24 October 1939	Allied forces agree that in the event of a German attack, to advance into Belgium to the Scheldt River.
25 October 1939	German General Gerd von Rundstedt is appointed Commander in the West.
27 October 1939	Britain halts aerial leaflet drops due to bad weather. Vicomte Davignon, Belgian Ambassador in Berlin, reports to the Belgian Government that he had learnt from a reliable source that Adolf Hitler intended to invade Belgium soon.
28 October 1939	Adolf Hitler intervenes in war plans to change a limited operation into a strong focused drive to cut Belgium in two. Adolf Hitler sets the date for invasion of the West as November 12. The three kings of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway meet with Marshal Mannerheim, president of Finland, in Stockholm. Mannerheim seeks the promise of help in the event of an attack from Russia.